15 Tips for Drinking Bhang Lassi in India

Rajasthan is a very unique state in India. In the desert, with buildings that blend in with the sand, you’ll see painted elephants in the streets and ATM’s that are constantly out of money (this happens more often than you’d think!). You feel like you’re in a movie. Like you’re really far out there and no one can find you. But, they can find you. It’s quite touristy, but as I’ve said before, Who Cares!?

Mostly vegetarian, the food is superb and the shopping is even better (including great deals onhand-beaded wall hangings).While touring through the majestic town of Jaisalmer, looking at the men with bright turbans smoking charas in a chillum (like the guy below) or drinking opium tea along side the road, I came across a “Government Approved” Bhang Lassi shop.

On menus across Rajasthan, Bhang Lassi is referred to as “special lassi”.

Keep in mind most towns in Rajasthan, like Pushkar, are very holy. You can’t have items like eggs, and you definitely can’t have beer. So what is bhang? It’s a form of cannabis in a fruity yoghurt drink.

Sadhus, who openly partake in smoking hash. It is not taboo here.

Cannabis is part of the culture in India, partially thanks to the powerful god, Shiva, who loved his cannabis plant along with his pet cow. It is confusing what is OK and what’s not in India, especially rules on how females can dress, considering one can get hash in a restaurant but girls can’t show their thighs.

Like many articles, I must make a disclaimer: Don’t do drugs! Now in the off chance that you choose to ignore me and partake in the delicious dangerous drinking of special lassi…

Here are my 15 tips for bhang lassi in India

1. If you don’t like yoghurt, ask for a special Coca-Cola or Fanta.

2. While you’re there, grab some green cookies. They aren’t suspicious at all. Just kidding. They are very suspicious, so just in case eat them discreetly. It’s a tricky law where you can’t buy and sell, but officials seem to be looking the other way. Best to not take your chances showing the whole world your cookies.

3. On your first try, even if you think you compare to Bob Marley in tolerance, get a “light” lassi. They make them very strong. It is not the same as smoking.

4. Do NOT take this alone. I have heard from travelers that they drank one, fell asleep, and woke up without a purse.

some strangers I found on Flickr, seeing as I am not brave enough to put an incriminating photo up of myself ;)

5. You are asking these vendors to put a drug in your drink. You are at their mercy, and you are taking a risk that they could add anything else they want. As another option, you can try to make your own lassi at home or partake on Holi with locals you trust.

6. Buy from government approved shops, not street vendors.

7. Do NOT by any means drink one before your camel safari. This is just a no-brainer… right? Possible complications include: almost slipping off your camel, wobbling for an hour, thinking it’s hotter than it is, feeling like you’ve been on your camel for days, and worse thinking that you are in danger in Pakistan: Pakistani Paranoia, I’m going to go ahead and coin that phrase now.

8.You, as a foreigner, should not partake in smoking/drinking on the streets like the sadhus (holy men) do. They are worshiping and/or helping free their people from sin (I’ve been told mixed reports) and you clearly are not.

9. Do NOT think this is the same as smoking a joint. It isn’t. You may be loopy for hours.

10. Do NOT think that because you ate a brownie once, you are the master of all drugs edible. Do not underestimate the powerfulness of bhang drinks.

11. Don’t drink lassi on an empty stomach, and try to stay outside.

12. I don’t even know why I’m typing this… but don’t give a sip to a child or animal. I don’t know why this would EVER happen, but for some reason I feel obligated to type it.

13. If you have forgotten a few cookies and taken them on a bus/train/somewhere that you get searched, first of all you’re a silly person. Second of all, remember that this is India and ask “How much is the fine?” The best way to nonchalantly offer a bribe. Does this make you ethically innocent? Nope, but it can easily keep you out of trouble.

14. If you are in India during Holi, there is a huge increase in Bhang intake, and everyone and their father are on it. Although I’m not advising you do drugs… Holi is a fine time to give it a whirl.

15. If you see cannabis growing on the side of a street, don’t steal it. It could just be a nuisance in someone’s garden OR, in somewhere like Malana, you could get in a lot of trouble from locals (so I hear).

Ok, that’s enough tips. So here’s just a little summary in case you weren’t paying attention.

Keep in mind this is a mind-altering drug. Use common sense.If you are nervous about taking it then DON’T. I don’t suggest this to anyone who has never smoked anything other than a cigarette. Acutally, I’m not suggesting it at all. I’m just giving tips in case you decide to drink it. “Cause I’m a cool mom.” Remember that weed is accepted in India because of religious beliefs. Do not be so carefree about other drugs. Be safe and be smart!

Did you enjoy this post? Let me know in the comments or by sharing it with the social media links! I’d love to keep giving you travel tricks & tips so feel free to subscribe by e-mail in the big purple box below. Don’t forget you can follow me on facebook, twitter, instagram & bloglovin‘.

About Author

Rachel Jones is an American who left a career in nursing to live on the beaches on Goa, India two years ago where she is now a Thai masseuse, candle-maker, and travel writer. Her award winning website gives advice on the other 28 countries she's been to but has become the go-to site on India travel, focusing on off beat places & “glamorous travel”. Hippie in Heels has been featured in ELLE magazine & was voted by Flipkey as one of the top 25 female bloggers to follow this year. You can follow her adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Google plus.

Great tips, agree with all of them. Also it might be a good idea to stay with the government approved shops like you say. But street vendors are everywhere. Usually if there are lots of people in a shop, it means that it must be a popular place.Shalu Sharma recently posted…Chai and pakora: A must try in India

Obviously in the supermarkets in the UK you can just by a Lassi, my favourite is the mango. Super creamy. Maybe next time I go to Ind¡a I´ll ask them to put a bit of “Bhang” in mine…haa.

My mates just got back from a massive South East Asia backpacking trip and they had a similar thing in Thailand, the only differnece is that they didn´t know what was in it. I think an “Awkard evening” hashtag is applicable here.
Thumbs up on the post!Anna (invisible Images) recently posted…Best Thrift Shops in San Sebastian

I am not going to incriminate myself but I was in Delhi for Holi in 2013 and it was awesome. Another tip for those who do not know, it can also have opium in it which is especially popular at farmhouse parties/ private parties. I chose not to partake in that batch. Your comment about giving it to children is humorous to me as, from my experience, everyone drinks it on Holi- people of all ages from the 75 year old to the 5 year old. Obviously this can not be good for the young brain and seeing little kids all messed up on it was an interesting sight. I would suggest it on Holi for sure as long as you are with friends in a fun, safe atmosphere. Another great post! You make my travel fever even worse with every word and tip you write and I love it!Lucy recently posted…OWB: The Epitome of Paradise

You’re right about the kids on Holi. I think some of the village kids here in Goa even had some. It’s a little strange to get used to! I’ve heard of people being tricked into drinking ones with opium, so it’s good to be very careful! Thanks for your comment :)

Ha! Great tips – especially the one about not consuming one of these before a camel safari. Having done a camel safari in Rajasthan, I totally agree!Samuel Jeffery recently posted…VIDEO: 48 hours in Singapore

I was curious by the title of this post when I checked out your home page. It gave me a chuckle when I read this. You are right about using common sense. Simply put, it is the difference between jail and freedom.

I will be in Mysore during Holi, I just realized, and thank you for the tips regarding this. I have severe milk allergy here in the states, and although I am interested to see if I have a severe allergic reaction to dairy in India – I also do not want to find out – so it is particularly useful to know I can get special Coca-Cola or Fanta there instead of special lassi.

I can confirm what you say here Rachel, having tried one or *cough* 2 when I visited years ago.
I was on some roof top with a Canadian pal trying to play chess one gorgeous evening when we both began to feel the effects of a particularly strong lassi we’d each tried.
Couldn’t play chess because we couldn’t focus on the board squares, and couldn’t leave the building because the stairs appeared non-negotiable!
Lots of girly giggling though.

Well in that case most of the drugs come from natural things. Just like how cocaine comes from cocoa leaf. But that does not make it natural. Because they are ‘produced’ and not used in their natural means. What makes it artificial is – The peeps figure out the chemical components and chemical structures and they create the same with artificial substances. The same reason why it’s so risky. Now they are ‘drugs’. Although cannabis is classified as a drug, it just is not.

Haha. Very nice article. Have you tried any of the other sweets made with a bhang base? But if you want the best of bhang, I’d suggest you try the ones out in Punjab. I’ve heard that that’s the shiz. Cannabis is more of an emotion in India which explains why no matter what the government does or tries to imply it can never take cannabis out of reach from the people(considering it was legal till about 60 years ago). Although i don’t stand by using it for religious purposes , I do stand for using it for spiritual purposes or even recreational purposes. Have you tried Khasa khasa payasam( a sweet porridge like substance made with opium seeds)? It’s pretty famous here in the south.
Have a nice day :)

can you buy bhang in any city of India? Can you buy just herb itself or it always will be in food? I am intersted because of medical properties of cannabis: it treats cancer, diabites, it restores DNA, and list is going on and on. Check out video on youtube “Rick Simpson – Run from the cure”

Hahahahaha!! LOVED the article… Informative and hilarious!.. I happened to be in jaisalmer when i read it..and the next thing i did when i headed out was go to the bhang shop… Have a mild lassi and then get some of the cookies packed too :D
Great article rachel.. :)nikhil seth recently posted…This is India! 45

Great article! I’m planning a gap-year trip to India next year solo, so I’m trying to find out as much as I can before I leave! I have a question – I’m quite interested in trying bhaang, but I’m below the legal drinking age (I’m 18) in basically all states except Goa. Do you know if there are age restrictions when buying bhaang from government stores/elsewhere, like there are with regards to alcohol? And is this prudently enforced in India? I understand that young children even consume bhaang openly around Holi, but it could also be possible that buying laws are different to laws governing the actual consumption. Thanks! :)

about the hippie in heels

Hi! I'm Rachel Jones, an American who left a career in nursing to live on the beaches of Goa over two years ago. I am a bit of a contradiction: one part dirty hippie, one part girlie girl. My blog focuses on off beat places & “glamorous travel”. I am currently living in Goa, India.